CHON BURI — Seventeen people, including 13 students, were injured after a swarm of giant honey bees attacked them near the Bang Lamung district office in Chon Buri on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred at about 10.20am under a large monkey pod tree beside the government complex in Na Kluea, Bang Lamung district, which houses the Bang Lamung police station, district office and Bang Lamung School.
Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation dispatched more than five ambulances after receiving reports of multiple bee stings.
Among those injured was 71-year-old food vendor Oranong Ventris, who was reportedly attacked by hundreds of bees and suffered serious repercussions. Pol Lt Col Ratchaphol Senee Wong Na Ayutthaya, a Bang Lamung police investigator, was also stung while attempting to help her.
The injured group, as recorded, comprised of four adults — two food vendors, a police officer and a local resident — and 13 students from Bang Lamung School. Several victims suffered swelling and allergic reactions and were taken to Pattaya Patamakhun Hospital for treatment.
Another food vendor in the area, Ms Jirapha Patcharawisakorn, 58, said Ms Oranong had been lighting a fire to grill chicken when bees from a large hive in the tree began flying around her.
Within minutes, hundreds of bees reportedly swarmed her, causing her to fall to the ground.
Pol Lt Col Ratchaphol attempted to pull her away but was also attacked. He then grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed it towards the bees.
The swarm also impacted passers-by, including students who were returning home after their school was closed due to a power outage.
Authorities found the hive measuring about 1 by 1 metre high up in the tree. Pattaya disaster prevention officials used a basket lift to reach the hive and burn it to prevent further attacks.
Local residents said a similar incident had occurred previously, but this attack was considerably more severe.
